The internet is not short on hot takes, and there were certainly plenty to go around when Ben Affleck surprisingly decided to step down from directing “The Batman.” Was the film not moving in the creative direction he wanted? Was Warner Bros. punishing him for the failure of “Live By Night“? Everyone has been tossing their ideas around, so why not Kevin Smith?
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The once best bud of Affleck is a huge comic-book fan, so of course he was going to weigh in on the latest DC Films development, and while he emphasizes he hasn’t spoken to his former pal in forever, the gist of Smth’s argument is this: Affleck got himself out of a no-win situation. Here’s what he had to say on his latest “Fatman On Batman” podcast (via Slashfilm):
Let’s talk about why? Why would this happen? I don’t know. I haven’t spoken to him in years, but here’s my take on it. Here’s my hot take. What’s the upshot? Seriously. Everybody wants that to be the greatest Batman movie ever made, and you know, in many cases, maybe the greatest Batman movie ever made has been made, called The Dark Knight, it’s a pretty wonderful film. If that’s your bar for a Batman standalone, Chris Nolan couldn’t even measure up to himself with The Dark Knight Rises. I liked it but it wasn’t received nearly as well. Let’s be honest like that Joker portrayal is for the ages. Fucking beyond brilliant and shit.
It’s a tall order man, so maybe he’s the kind of guy who’s just like ‘why bother?’ Why am I going to step up to the plate, no matter what I do people are going to bitch? If it ain’t fucking The Dark Knight, I’m fucked, but if I’m just acting in it, my name’s Paul and this is between ya’ll, I’m just the Bat, that’s it. The guy or girl tells me what to do and go and so you got a beef with the movie? Talk to these motherfuckers. That’s easier. That’s an easier life. You don’t have to sit there and take the slings and arrows.
As far as theories goes, it’s not a bad one, and perhaps it was part of Affleck’s equation as he made up his pros and cons list before bouncing. That said, “The Batman” won’t be the first or last time Affleck faces the heat from fans, and he’s lived in the public eye forever to know the scrutiny that comes with that. But then again, fanboys are a whole other breed.
Thoughts? Let us know.